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Making Squamish a kinder place

They set out Friday to make the town a better place – and they succeeded.
kindness

They set out Friday to make the town a better place – and they succeeded.

A group of students from Brackendale Elementary School, including Sarah Hain’s Grade 3-4 class and Marian Kelly’s Grade 5-6 class, has been fundraising and preparing for months for their acts of kindness whirlwind tour last week. They raised funds for Squamish General Hospital through a bake sale and gathered food for the Squamish Helping Hands Society. They even enlisted help from other schools and the radio station, asking for donations and announcements so they could fill their school bus with as many items as possible to make Squamish a more caring place. Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School and Mountain FM were among those pleased to help.

On Friday, the students boarded the bus for a day of kindness that touched many in town. They made deliveries to the hospital, the shelter and for Syrian refugees, and the students even remembered to help their four-legged friends, dropping off food, treats, toys and towels at the dog pound. At the Sea to Sky Gondola, the children were excited to give out vouchers for free coffee to visitors heading up to see the spectacular scenery at the top. No doubt the tourists and local hikers were charmed by the beaming children who were trying to make their visit a bit warmer.

Squamish Chief reporter Mike Chouinard captured the emotions of the day with a story and photos of the children you can see on pages A15-A16 and on the website this week. It’s a story we’re proud to publish as it captures what Squamish is all about.

Kindness is what defines our lives. While many of us set out to prosper and accomplish goals, it’s how we treat the people around us that really counts. An act of kindness can be as simple as holding a door for someone or being patient at an intersection to let people safely cross the street.

Those small gestures can lead to a feeling of warmth that they will pass along to others through a smile or another act of kindness, creating a ripple effect.

We don’t know much about each others’ lives, the challenges and difficulties those around us may be facing, and our small gesture may make all the difference in the world and allow the person to face their day.

Congratulations to the teachers who are giving their students the most important lesson of all. In the end, it’s not about how much money you made or whether you won awards for your work. Life is about the difference we make in the lives of those around us.

– Editor Christine Endicott

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